Patents by Inventor Fernando R. Martin-Lopez

Fernando R. Martin-Lopez has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100039080
    Abstract: A single-inductor power converter with buck-boost capability provides regulated bipolar output voltage to a positive and a negative load. A five-switch bridge topology allows a controller to direct the inductor current to the appropriate outputs or circuit ground as needed to maintain regulation. The controller also adjusts the inductor current level for proper output voltage regulation. The five-switch bridge topology makes possible a wide range of ratios between the positive and negative output currents of the converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Steve Schoenbauer, Fernando R. Martin-Lopez
  • Patent number: 6774576
    Abstract: High voltage and low voltage switch mode circuits and methods serve to recover the charge stored on electro-luminescent lamp panels that would otherwise be dissipated during the discharge cycle of a drive circuit. The high voltage circuits and methods operate to transfer the charge to the high voltage rail, while the low voltage circuits and methods operate to transfer the charge to the source of low drive voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Toko, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Schoenbauer, Dan Fleming, Fernando R. Martin-Lopez
  • Patent number: 6624595
    Abstract: Circuits and methods employing the inherent capacitance of an electro-luminescent lamp in a resonant circuit to recover the energy otherwise lost in electro-luminescent lamp driver circuits to thereby increase the overall efficiency of such circuits and to lower the noise and increase the life of the electro-luminescent lamp itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Toko, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Fleming, Fernando R. Martin-Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030057874
    Abstract: High voltage and low voltage switch mode circuits and methods serve to recover the charge stored on electro-luminescent lamp panels that would otherwise be dissipated during the discharge cycle of a drive circuit. The high voltage circuits and methods operate to transfer the charge to the high voltage rail, while the low voltage circuits and methods operate to transfer the charge to the source of low drive voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Schoenbauer, Dan Fleming, Fernando R. Martin-Lopez
  • Publication number: 20030025460
    Abstract: Circuits and methods employing the inherent capacitance of an electro-luminescent lamp in a resonant circuit to recover the energy otherwise lost in electro-luminescent lamp driver circuits to thereby increase the overall efficiency of such circuits and to lower the noise and increase the life of the electro-luminescent lamp itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dan Fleming, Fernando R. Martin-Lopez
  • Patent number: 6459210
    Abstract: High voltage and low voltage switch mode circuits and methods serve to recover the charge stored on electro-luminescent lamp panels that would otherwise be dissipated during the discharge cycle of a drive circuit. The high voltage circuits and methods operate to transfer the charge to the high voltage rail, while the low voltage circuits and methods operate to transfer the charge to the source of low drive voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Toko, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Schoenbauer, Dan Fleming, Fernando R. Martin-Lopez
  • Publication number: 20020121862
    Abstract: High voltage and low voltage switch mode circuits and methods serve to recover the charge stored on electro-luminescent lamp panels that would otherwise be dissipated during the discharge cycle of a drive circuit. The high voltage circuits and methods operate to transfer the charge to the high voltage rail, while the low voltage circuits and methods operate to transfer the charge to the source of low drive voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Steve Schoenbauer, Dan Fleming, Fernando R. Martin-Lopez
  • Patent number: 5387822
    Abstract: An error signal isolator circuit for conveying an error signal across an electrical isolation boundary such as an external pulse transformer employs a level shifting process whereby a controllable voltage is measured with respect to a reference voltage and, with any gain implemented in the process, is level shifted upward such that the higher potential is referenced to a supply voltage and the lower potential is used dynamically to control the magnitude of voltage conveyed in a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) process. In the PAM process, an ON pulse is terminated by monitoring when a PAM current has increased to a predetermined and controllable level. An ON pulse is initiated by monitoring when the voltage across a clamp diode has decayed below its normal forward bias level, indicating a commensurate decay in PAM current, following termination of the previous ON pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Toko America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando R. Martin-Lopez, Richard Redl
  • Patent number: 5335162
    Abstract: A primary side controller for regulated power converters may be implemented as a monolithic integrated circuit in which fewer pins are required as compared to the prior art 3842 controller. The present controller includes a current limit protection function having an extended time period over which a predetermined current value is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Toko America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando R. Martin-Lopez, Richard Redl
  • Patent number: 4926037
    Abstract: A motor position controller energized by radiant energy, includes a member that rotates in response to radiant energy. A sensing means is mounted adjacent the absorbing member to sense rotational movement of the member and to generate a member rotational speed and direction movement signal in response thereto. A processor compares input command signals representing the desired member speed and rotational direction signal with the actual speed and rotational direction signal and generates a radiant energy control signal in response thereto. A radiant energy generating laser, controlled by the processor, transmits radiant light energy of varying magnitude onto the member thereby controlling the member's rotational speed, direction and position. In a preferred embodiment, the member is mechanically engaged to a mechanical joint and is used to control the arm's speed, position and movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Fernando R. Martin-Lopez